Web Therapy

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Web Therapy is an improvised online (and later, television) series starring Lisa Kudrow as "Fiona Wallice," a therapist who has conceived of a new form of therapy: the titular "web therapy".

"Fiona Wallice" is a therapist who has conceived of a new "modality" of therapy: the titular "web therapy." In her estimation, the traditional "50 minute hour" version of therapy gives people too much leeway to talk about irrelevant things. By dramatically shortening session time, she hopes to get results more quickly. Her sessions take place via webcam over the internet using iChat. They are taped in the hope of attracting investors into promoting her new technique as a worldwide therapy option.

A dark comedy, much of the humor revolves around "Fiona's" obvious self-interest and how it overshadows her legitimate ability to suss out people's issues quickly and effectively. (For instance, in "Sibling Ribaldry," she manages to completely clarify a couple's romantic emotional issues in thirty seconds but does so only to bring them around so she can then film them discussing more trivial sexual issues that are more shocking.)

In April 2010, Showtime announced plans to adapt the online episodes for broadcast on television with extra scenes being shot. The series premiered on Showtime on July 19, 2011, and ran for 10 episodes. In December 2011, Showtime renewed Web Therapy for a second season of 10 episodes, airing in 2012.